{"id":13603,"date":"2024-03-14T16:02:11","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T22:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/?p=13603"},"modified":"2025-06-06T09:32:15","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T15:32:15","slug":"what-happens-stop-paying","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-cards\/what-happens-stop-paying.html","title":{"rendered":"What happens if I stop paying my credit card?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"570\" height=\"190\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Stop-Paying-Credit-Card-Header.jpg\" alt=\"What Happens if I Stop Paying My Credit Card Title Image\" class=\"wp-image-13628\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-d7b9a6d9cc2d00f13d9557fd67cfdfd3\" style=\"background-color:#00204f\">If you stop paying your credit card, you can expect late fees, increased interest rates, and a significantly decreased credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/disclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>See Lexington Law\u2019s editorial disclosure for more information.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you stop paying your credit card, you can expect late fees, increased interest rates and a damaged credit score. If unexpected circumstances\u2014such as unemployment or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/bad-credit\/remove-medical-bills-credit-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">medical bills<\/a>\u2014leave you with more debt than you can afford to pay, it may be difficult to stay on top of credit card bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The consequences may seem small at first, but as more time passes, the effects of not paying your credit card become more serious. Our guide will cover the most common drawbacks for negligent card payments and share some of Lexington Law Firm\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-cards\/debt-relief.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debt relief<\/a> suggestions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key takeaways:<\/strong><strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Most credit cards offer a grace period before payments are considered late.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Payment history makes up 35 percent of your FICO<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> credit score.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Closing your oldest credit cards can hurt your credit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Table of contents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#late-fees-and-interest-begin-to-accrue\">Late fees and interest begin to accrue<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#collections-efforts-from-creditors-increase\">Collections efforts from creditors increase<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#credit-score-drops\">Credit score drops<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#account-may-go-to-collections\">Account may go to collections<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#when-do-the-creditors-report-a-payment-missed-or-late\">When do the creditors report a payment missed or late?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#what-happens-to-credit-card-debt-if-i-move-out-of-the-country\">What happens to credit card debt if I move out of the country?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#can-i-go-to-jail-for-not-paying-my-credit-cards\">Can I go to jail for not paying my credit cards?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#manage-your-credit-with-lexington-law-firm\">Manage your credit with Lexington Law Firm<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"late-fees-and-interest-begin-to-accrue\"><a id=\"_lunvjs1tyvll\"><\/a>Late fees and interest begin to accrue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Late fees are capped at 25 percent of your credit limit for the first year after you\u2019ve opened an account. This is part of your rights outlined in the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (also known as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experian.com\/blogs\/ask-experian\/what-is-the-credit-card-act-of-2009\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Credit CARD Act<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The fee is added to your credit card balance and becomes subject to interest charges based on your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/education\/what-is-apr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">APR<\/a>, or annual percentage rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"999\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image-37.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image-37.png 999w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image-37-768x454.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>After two missed payments (60 days), your interest will typically increase to the higher penalty APR outlined in your card\u2019s terms and conditions agreement. The card issuer may not lower the interest rate for six months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Late fees and finance charges will continue to increase your monthly payment, making it more difficult to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"collections-efforts-from-creditors-increase\"><a id=\"_wmthub6wnjkv\"><\/a>Collections efforts from creditors increase<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your creditors will begin to contact you to collect the payment you owe them. They will continue to contact you regularly and with increasing frequency until the missing payment is fulfilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Under the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ftc.gov\/enforcement\/rules\/rulemaking-regulatory-reform-proceedings\/fair-debt-collection-practices-act-text\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fair Debt Collection Practices Act<\/a>, debt collectors must abide by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/finance\/debt-collection-laws.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">debt collection laws<\/a> about communication with consumers. For instance, they are not allowed to call at unusual hours. Consumers have the right to request the debt collector to stop contacting them. However, these laws only apply to debt collectors and not your original creditors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"977\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image-36.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image-36.png 977w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image-36-768x603.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"credit-score-drops\"><a id=\"_1vycvantpgru\"><\/a>Credit score drops<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you miss a payment by 30 days, the creditor will report it to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/education\/three-credit-bureaus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">three credit bureaus<\/a>: Equifax\u00ae, Experian\u00ae and TransUnion\u00ae. Since payment history determines 35 percent of your FICO <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/credit\/credit-score\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">credit score<\/a>, this means your credit score will likely drop. If the account goes to collections, it will be considered a serious delinquency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A low credit score will make it difficult to obtain a credit card, loan, or even a job in the future. It will also decrease your ability to get approved for a lease or mortgage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"account-may-go-to-collections\"><a id=\"_pit6k7efcbbe\"><\/a>Account may go to collections<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve reached 180 days late, the creditor will typically <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/negative-items\/what-is-a-charge-off.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">charge off<\/a> the debt and sell it to a collection agency. The term \u201ccharged off\u201d doesn\u2019t mean the debt will go away\u2014not only are you still responsible for the amount owed, but additional fees and interest may be added to your balance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Charge-offs can remain on your credit report for seven years. However, the original creditor or debt collector can sue you for the debt up until the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/negative-items\/statute-of-limitations-on-debt-collection-by-state.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">statute of limitations<\/a> expires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"when-do-the-creditors-report-a-payment-missed-or-late\"><a id=\"_1x8n972ctmbt\"><\/a>When do the creditors report a payment missed or late?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-101\/fico-credit-score.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">FICO credit scores<\/a> consider the details of a missed payment, such as how late it was. Creditors typically report late payments in set intervals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Late by 30 to 59 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Late by 60 to 89 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Late by 90 to 119 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Late by 120 to 149 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Late by 150 to 179 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Late by 180 or more days<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-happens-to-credit-card-debt-if-i-move-out-of-the-country\"><a id=\"_ljd0nughv2to\"><\/a>What happens to credit card debt if I move out of the country?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Your creditors may still send you to collections or file a lawsuit against you if you have debt after moving abroad. Creditors can go after any assets you leave behind in a checking, savings, or investment account. If you continue working for an employer based in the U.S., your wages could be garnished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you move abroad, you will continue to accrue penalties and significant damage to your credit, which could be problematic if you ever decide to return to the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"can-i-go-to-jail-for-not-paying-my-credit-cards\"><a id=\"_og5lcztuw2vf\"><\/a>Can I go to jail for not paying my credit cards?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no debtors\u2019 prison in the United States, but if a creditor sues you in a court of law and wins a judgment, they may be able to garnish your wages or file a lien on your property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"835\" height=\"1145\" src=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image-35.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image-35.png 835w, https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/image-35-768x1053.png 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 767px) 600px, calc(100vw - 35px)\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"manage-your-credit-with-lexington-law-firm\"><a id=\"_d66mq4a0bj16\"><\/a>Manage your credit with Lexington Law Firm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most important factors determining your credit is whether or not your payments have been made on time. Late or missed credit card payments can lower your score, preventing you from obtaining loans or credit cards with better terms and lower interest rates. If you notice an inaccurate late payment or another error on your credit report, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/our-services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our services<\/a> can potentially help you address inaccurate negative items and work to improve your credit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lexingtonlaw.com\/disclaimer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>Note:<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>&nbsp;Articles have only been reviewed by the indicated attorney, not written by them. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, reviewers, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective agents or employers.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Payment history affects your credit. If you stop paying your balances, a drastically lowered score is just one of the negative consequences you\u2019ll experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":63,"featured_media":13628,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[516],"tags":[5142],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v18.1 (Yoast SEO v18.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Happens If I Stop Paying My Credit Card? | Lexington Law<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Payment history affects your credit. If you stop paying your balances, a drastically lowered score is just one of the negative consequences you\u2019ll experience.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lexingtonlaw.com\/blog\/credit-cards\/what-happens-stop-paying.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What happens if I stop paying my credit card?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Payment history affects your credit. 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